WHACK! Tennis goes Kindergarten – Learning tennis through play directly in kindergarten

Discover tennis through play – movement, joy & healthy fundamentals from the very beginning

Children love to move – but how can you get even kindergarten children excited about sports , and tennis in particular ? In a time when many children don't get enough exercise, early childhood sports programs are becoming increasingly important. Experts agree: exercise and sports keep children physically and mentally fit , and the foundation for an active life should be laid as early as possible. This is precisely where WHACK! Tennis goes Kindergarten comes in. In this blog post, we present the project, which demonstrates how fun, games, and the right fundamentals can spark enthusiasm for tennis in even the youngest children.

Frankie - 3 years old

Why tennis in kindergarten?

Early practice makes perfect : Studies show that physically fit children can concentrate better and have a higher quality of life. Those who start exercising in kindergarten lay the foundation for lifelong health and a love of sports.

Promoting development : Movement in preschool children not only fosters motor skills, but also social skills and cognitive development. Playful romping strengthens muscles, coordination, and even the ability to pay attention.

Forming active habits : The earlier children have positive experiences with movement, the more likely they are to develop lasting active habits. Early physical activity – ideally integrated into the daily kindergarten routine – can help prevent children from becoming reluctant to move in the first place.

Project presentation: WHACK! Tennis goes Kindergarten – concept and idea

  • Tennis in Kindergarten: WHACK! Tennis goes Kindergarten brings tennis directly to kindergartens. An innovative concept playfully teaches children aged 3-6 the basics of tennis in their familiar surroundings. The motto is: "Discover tennis through play – with joy, movement, and the right fundamentals from the very beginning."

  • Based on the Heidelberg Ball School concept: The program builds on the Heidelberg Ball School concept – a scientifically sound method that teaches children the basics of ball games through playful exercises. Instead of starting with tennis rules, the children begin with simple ball exercises such as catching, throwing, running, and jumping. This strengthens basic motor skills and coordination – the foundation for all ball sports – in an age-appropriate and fun way within the familiar environment of the kindergarten.

  • Learning through play: Through imaginative games and child-friendly instructions, little ones never experience pressure or performance anxiety. The focus is on the joy of movement. Every child can explore the world of sports at their own pace – success and sparkling eyes included.

Focus on motor skills – the foundation for every sport

A key objective of the project is to promote early childhood motor skills, which are essential for later sporting activities:

  • Orientation – Moving safely in space: Children learn to orient themselves in the gymnasium or outdoors, to estimate distances and directions.
  • Reaction – Quickly reacting to signals: Games like “Ball off!” or color and clapping signals are used to practice reacting quickly to different stimuli.
  • Balance – Balance and body control: Balancing on lines, jumping over obstacles or keeping a ball on the racket – all of this trains body control in motion.
  • Differentiation – Precise movement control: Whether throwing, aiming or rolling a ball with a racket – the children learn to execute movements in a targeted manner and with finesse.

These four core competencies are developed through play and form the basis for children to learn more complex sports – not just tennis – more easily later on. The multifaceted development of motor skills at an early age pays off: it improves overall fitness and boosts children's self-confidence when they realize what they are already capable of.

WHACK! Blue Stage – the first step into tennis

  • Gentle introduction: Building on the established foundations, WHACK! Blue Stage is the perfect introduction to tennis for the youngest players. Instead of immediately practicing serves, children first learn to roll the ball with the tennis racket. This simple step is perfectly tailored to preschool age.

  • The balance bike principle: Explained simply: What the balance bike is for cycling, rolling is for tennis. Just as children practice their balance on a balance bike before moving on to a bicycle, at WHACK! they first roll the ball before later adding real strokes. This concept takes the pressure off and provides a sense of accomplishment right from the start.

  • Solid foundations: By rolling the ball with the racket, children develop a feel for the equipment and the ball. Eye-hand coordination improves, and any initial hesitation towards the racket and ball disappears. This makes the transition to real rallies much easier when they reach school age.

Mo & Philipp - 5 & 6 years old

Overview of the offer – process and general conditions

How exactly does WHACK! Tennis goes Kindergarten work? Here are the most important facts about the program at a glance:

  • Framework & Procedure

    • 50 minutes per week (e.g., a sports lesson on Tuesday)
    • 12 units per semester → sustainable impact
    • Group size: 10–15 children for optimal care

  • Location & Facilities

    • Directly in the kindergarten (gym or outdoors)
    • Familiar environment → safety & less effort for parents
    • Rackets, balls and net are all provided.

  • Registration & Organization

    • Flexible and unbureaucratic registration is possible via www.whack-tennis.com or, if desired, via the kindergarten or directly with the project team.
    • Children only need comfortable clothes.

These uncomplicated conditions allow the project to blend seamlessly into the daily routine of the kindergarten. Parents and educators don't have to worry about anything else, and the children can fully enjoy playing.

Benefits for children, parents and kindergartens

For the children: WHACK! Tennis goes Kindergarten is all about fun and variety. The children playfully improve their fitness and motor skills, which also brings benefits in everyday life (e.g., safety on climbing frames or when playing ball with friends). They experience success, build self-confidence, and discover their passion for sports early on. In the long term, they benefit from better concentration and health – active children are often more balanced and learn more easily.

For parents: Parents are happy when their children come home exhausted and happy. The program takes place during kindergarten hours – saving them afternoon trips to sports classes. Parents also know their little ones are in good hands with qualified trainers. The children gain valuable experiences without creating additional stress for the family.

For kindergartens: Such a sports program enriches the daily routine and delights the children. Kindergartens distinguish themselves with a holistic program that promotes physical activity. Through cooperation with the project, new ideas are brought to the facility, and the teaching team sees the children in a different context (team spirit, ambition, fair play). Last but not least, regular exercise strengthens the children's health, which also has a positive effect on the group atmosphere (balanced, happy children!).

Early childhood movement and tennis: opportunities for children, parents and kindergartens

Early childhood movement is a win-win situation: children playfully develop important skills, parents experience their children as active and balanced, and kindergartens gain a meaningful activity to enrich their daily routine. WHACK! Tennis goes Kindergarten shows that tennis has a place even in preschool – easy, without pressure, and with lots of fun.

Perhaps now is the perfect time to give children their first experiences with a racket and ball. Because what begins early with curiosity and fun can become the foundation for a life full of movement and enthusiasm for sports.

Personal motivation – the story behind the project

  • The inspiration : The idea for WHACK! Tennis goes Kindergarten arose from a personal experience. The project founder saw her own four-year-old daughter participating in a ballet class at kindergarten. This first positive experience of movement in a familiar environment sparked her daughter's enthusiasm for sports.
  • From ballet to tennis : This success story got the founder thinking: Why not create a similar opportunity with tennis ? When a child playfully discovers sports in familiar surroundings – together with friends in kindergarten – the motivation and joy are much greater than when they are taught in an unfamiliar environment.
  • Passing on the passion – the belief that every child deserves a positive start in the world of sports – drives this project. This genuine motivation is palpable in every hour: Here, the child is the focus, with all their curiosity and energy.

Pilot project Kindergarten Deutschfeistritz

The project was successfully piloted in spring/summer 2025 at the St. Martin parish kindergarten in Deutschfeistritz. More than 65 children experienced an unforgettable morning full of movement, play, and joy – from throwing and catching to small target games. It was particularly impressive how quickly the children progressed and celebrated their successes with shining eyes. Educators and parents were also enthusiastic about how the program playfully strengthened the children's motor skills, team spirit, and self-confidence.

Christoph Wagner, BSc. is a state-certified tennis instructor and founder of WHACK! Tennis .

With many years of experience in training children and young people, he has developed a pedagogically sound system that allows children to have a playful, age-appropriate access to tennis.

His goal: to awaken enthusiasm for exercise and lay the foundations for lifelong enjoyment of sport.

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FAQ

From what age can children participate?

The program is aimed at children aged 3 to 6 years . At this age, children develop important motor and social skills, which are particularly fostered through playful movement. The exercises are specifically tailored to the developmental stages of this age group – from catching and throwing to the first tennis strokes.

Has the project been tested before?

Yes, the project has already been successfully implemented at the parish kindergarten in Deutschfeistritz (Styria) . Over 60 children participated enthusiastically . Feedback from parents and the kindergarten management was consistently positive: the children had a lot of fun, noticeably increased their enjoyment of movement, and playfully improved their motor skills. These positive experiences are the basis for our decision to now offer the project in other kindergartens – including one in Vienna.

Is there a minimum group size?

Yes, the minimum group size is 10 children . This allows us to create a vibrant group experience where the children learn from each other and have fun together. At the same time, the groups remain manageable with a maximum of 15 children, ensuring that each child receives individual attention. Should the minimum number not be reached, we will work with the kindergarten to find a suitable solution.

Do the children need their own rackets or equipment?

No, the children don't need to bring anything. We provide all the necessary equipment, such as child-friendly rackets, special balls, and nets. This makes training completely straightforward for kindergartens and parents. The children only need comfortable clothing and non-slip shoes – everything else is delivered directly to the kindergarten.

How large are the groups?

We work in groups of 10 to a maximum of 15 children . This size has proven effective: it is large enough for the children to learn from each other, yet small enough for each child to receive individual attention. This ensures that no child gets lost in the shuffle and that each can progress at their own pace.

Where does the class take place?

The lessons take place directly in the kindergarten – either in the gym or, weather permitting, outdoors. This eliminates any additional organizational effort for parents, and the children feel comfortable in their familiar surroundings. This makes it easy for them to fully engage in the movement and fun.

Who leads the units?

The courses are led by state-certified tennis instructors with many years of experience coaching children . We place particular emphasis on pedagogical sensitivity and on playfully instilling a love of movement in children. The focus is not on performance, but on enthusiasm, team spirit, and a positive sporting experience.

How does the registration process work?

Registration is intentionally flexible and straightforward . Parents can register their children directly with our team, or the kindergarten can handle the organization for all interested children. This makes the process simple, transparent, and minimizes administrative work for the facility.